Howell, Michigan – The sentencing of a man involved in a fatal meningitis outbreak that affected multiple states has been postponed, leaving grieving individuals who were ready to share their stories of loss disappointed. Barry Cadden, who pleaded no contest, was expected to receive a minimum of 10 years in prison for involuntary manslaughter. However, the judge overseeing the case retired, leading to a delay in the sentencing process.
Judge Matthew McGivney has taken over the case and rescheduled the sentencing for May 10, causing frustration among those prepared to provide statements. One woman was seen crying outside the Livingston County courtroom, expressing her feelings of being blindsided by the unexpected turn of events. The decision to postpone the sentencing was met with disappointment and confusion among the victims’ families.
Peggy Nuerenberg, who lost her 88-year-old mother, Mary Plettl, to the tainted steroid injection, described the situation as disrespectful to the victims who had worked diligently to share their loved ones’ stories. Another issue that arose was the judge’s connection to the state attorney general’s office, which raised concerns about bias in the case.
Michigan has been the only state to prosecute Cadden for the deaths caused by mold-tainted steroids from the New England Compounding Center. Over 700 individuals in 20 states fell ill, with 64 fatalities reported due to the outbreak. Cadden’s decision to plead no contest to involuntary manslaughter has sparked mixed reactions from the victims’ families, with some feeling that justice has not been served adequately.
Gene Keyes, whose mother passed away in 2012, criticized the plea deal, stating that Cadden prioritized greed over people’s lives. The issues at Cadden’s lab, where mold contamination occurred during the medication manufacturing process, highlighted the negligence and poor practices that contributed to the outbreak.
Chin, a key employee at the lab, is facing 11 second-degree murder charges, with his trial pending. While Cadden’s plea deal includes a minimum 10-year prison sentence, it will run concurrently with his existing federal sentence, meaning he may not serve additional time for the Michigan deaths. The victims’ families continue to seek closure and justice for their loved ones who suffered from the consequences of the tainted steroids.
In light of the ongoing legal proceedings and the delayed sentencing, survivors like Ken Borton, who still experiences chronic health issues from the tainted steroids, are advocating for transparency and accountability in the case. The impact of the meningitis outbreak has had long-lasting effects on the victims and their families, underscoring the importance of holding accountable those responsible for the tragedy.